Don Getty was and will continue to be a symbol of what Alberta is, even though the former Alberta premier and cabinet minister wasn’t a native Albertan.
Actually, it is the fact that Getty wasn’t a born and bred Albertan that makes him a symbol of what Alberta is all about, a beacon of hope and prosperity.
Like many people Getty came to Alberta chasing a dream. In his case he wanted to become a starting quarterback for a professional football team.
After graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor of arts degree specializing in business administration, he packed up his car and headed to Edmonton Alberta with his high school sweetheart and new bride, where the Eskimos were and his first professional football camp.
At first, the Eskimos used Getty as backup, spelling off their star quarterback, Jackie Parker. However, anxious to take advantage of Getty’s arm and Parker’s speed, Parker would often be shifted to running back, with Getty taking over as pivot.
Back in the 1950s and ‘60s when Getty played football, to help supplement their meager football salaries, players often took part time jobs with local businesses, including Getty. Imperial Oil hired the quarterback to work for them part-time and during the off-season. The job would lead into what was a distinguished career for Getty in the oil industry.
Now most Albertans and Canadians associate Getty with his political career. In 1967, former Edmonton Eskimo teammate Peter Lougheed convinced Getty to enter into political life. They, along with four Progressive Conservative members, formed the basis of what eventually would be a 44-year political dynasty.
In the early 1970s Getty served as energy and intergovernmental affairs minister for the Lougheed government and was responsible for helping kickstart oil sands production.
In 1979, Getty retired from political life to spend more time with his family, but in 1985 he decided to throw his hat into the Progressive Conservative leadership race becoming the province’s 11th premier.
Unfortunately for Getty, his time as premier would also coincide with a dramatic drop in oil prices going as low as $10 a barrel. As royalty revenue dropped, the province cut spending, raised taxes and ran a series of deficit governments. In 1992, with his popularity decreasing and calls for his resignation from both the public and his own party, Getty stepped down as premier.
But even though he had stepped out of the public eye, Getty remained first and foremost an Albertan, right up to his passing on Feb. 26, at the age of 82.
And that is what we should take from Getty’s life story, he was an Albertan, regardless of where he came from, just like countless others who have and will continue to come to the province seeking a better life.
